Human on the Inside with Sagar Tripathi
Human on the Inside. We’re big believers in the power of human skills. But don’t just take our word for it - the evidence for excellence powered by human (‘soft’) skills is everywhere! In this engaging, ever-enlightening series, we speak with industry leaders, innovators and game-changers to learn a little about their personal career journeys, and how human-led strategies, philosophies and cultures are proving a force for good in their working worlds …
Maxme: Welcome Sagar, and thanks for stepping into the #SuccessIsHuman Spotlight!
You’re the Owner & Partner of Sagar Tripathi & Co Chartered Accountants Lucknow, Motivational Speaker, Chair Yi Yuva Lucknow and Past President at Lucknow Chartered Accountants Society. LCAS is an organization with more than 1000 Chartered Accountants spread across more than 10 states of India. The motive of the society is to develop core competency in the field of Audit and Taxation as well as to apprise its members of new avenues and challenges of the Profession.
In 1 sentence (ok, we’ll give you 3), what does this role entail?
Sagar Tripathi: Thank you for the warm welcome!
In this multifaceted role, I lead a dynamic CA firm where technical precision meets practical insight to help clients navigate complex financial and regulatory landscapes. I also actively shape the professional ecosystem through leadership roles, mentorship, and collaborative platforms like LCAS and Yi Yuva.
At LCAS, me along with Team LCAS nurture a vibrant network of 1,000+ Chartered Accountants across 10+ states, fostering technical excellence and peer learning in audit, taxation, and emerging practice areas. As Chair of Yi Yuva Lucknow, my team and I engage with young minds to spark leadership, entrepreneurship, and civic responsibility, bridging professional growth with meaningful human impact. As a motivational speaker, I strive to ignite purpose and resilience in individuals, helping them reconnect with their potential both in professional settings and in personal life.
At the heart of it all lies a commitment to empowering people with knowledge, with purpose, and with the human touch that makes success truly sustainable.
Whilst you established Sagar Tripathi & Co over 12 years ago, you are also a Visiting Faculty member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Direct Taxes Regional Training Institute, National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN), Institute of Cost Accountants of India and The Institute of Company Secretaries of India. You’ve previously been a Co-Chair of Yi Yuva, and an Executive Committee Member of the Income Tax Bar Association, Lucknow. Wowee!
M: How does all this work speak to your personal purpose and what drives you as an individual?
ST: Thank you for a wonderful question. I love the way it is framed, and honestly, every role I've taken up has been less about titles and more about touchpoints. Whether it’s mentoring future professionals as a visiting faculty, contributing to policy dialogues, or creating learning platforms through professional bodies, it all ties back to a core belief: Knowledge is most valuable when shared.
What drives me is the idea of purposeful impact being able to simplify the complex, inspire confidence, and make people feel seen and capable in their journeys. Whether I'm advising a client, teaching students, or speaking from a stage, the goal remains the same: to uplift, to enable, and to spark momentum in others.
M: Tell us a little about your personal education pathway/s - what led you to where you are now? How closely do your formal qualifications match your current career?
ST: Interestingly, I never planned to become a CA. Coming from a science background, I initially set my sights on engineering but as life would have it, destiny had other plans and led me down the road to commerce and finance. My educational path has been rooted in curiosity and discipline. I pursued CA not just as a qualification, but as a mindset, one that trains you to think critically, solve problems under pressure, and stay grounded in integrity.
Today, I hold multiple qualifications BCOM, FCA, ACS, ACMA, LLB, DISA (ICAI), along with specialized certifications in “Concurrent Audit of Banks”, “Artificial Intelligence for CAs”, and “Forensic Accounting & Fraud Prevention”.
While my formal qualifications provide a strong technical backbone in finance and taxation, it’s been the unplanned turns, real-world exposure, and a constant urge to stay relevant that shaped my current career. In many ways, it’s the human skills like communication, empathy, and adaptability that have helped me expand into roles like teaching, public speaking, and community leadership. Together, they form a bridge between what I know and who I want to be.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice to your 21 year old self it would be ...
"Don’t rush the outcome—build the foundation."
ST: At 21, I was chasing results, trying to figure it all out too quickly. I’d tell myself that growth isn’t always loud or immediate; it’s often in the late nights, silent efforts, and consistent choices. Trust your pace, embrace your detours, and remember character compounds more powerfully than any shortcut ever will.
M: Maximising the potential of individuals, communities and businesses through the power of human skills is the reason Maxme exists. Can you tell us a little about the role and / or value of human skills in your workplace right now?
ST: Absolutely, and I believe the real differentiator in today’s workplace isn’t just technical expertise, but the ability to connect, communicate, and collaborate.
In my firm and in every platform I’m part of be it LCAS, Yi Yuva, ITBA Lucknow or faculty engagements - human skills like empathy, active listening, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are non-negotiable. They influence how we handle client relationships, mentor teams, resolve conflicts, and even embrace change in a fast-evolving profession.
Technical skills get you through the door, but it’s human skills that build trust, innovation, and create workplaces people truly want to grow in.
M: Self Awareness sets the critical foundation for all Maxme learning experiences. With that said … what’s your strongest trait / personal super power?
ST: If I had to name one personal superpower, it would be Clarity under pressure.
Whether it’s handling a complex tax matter, guiding a team through uncertainty, or speaking on a big stage, I have an innate ability to stay composed, filter out the noise, and focus on what really matters. That calm clarity not only helps me make better decisions, but also gives confidence to the people around me.
And I’ve come to realize: it’s not about having all the answers, rather it’s about being present enough to ask the right questions.
M: And on the flip side, what’s one human / ‘soft’ skill you’ve had to really work on improving over the course of your career?
ST: One human skill I’ve had to consciously work on is Delegation of work and responsibility.
In the early years of my career, I had this habit of trying to do everything myself thinking it would ensure quality or speed. Over time, I realised that true leadership isn’t about doing more, it’s about trusting more.
Learning to delegate effectively has not only empowered my team, but it’s also freed me to focus on strategy, innovation, and mentoring which are far more impactful in the long run.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice with recent Uni graduates or candidates keen to work as a Chartered Accountant, what would it be?
ST: “Don’t chase the designation—build the discipline.”
Becoming a Chartered Accountant is not just about clearing exams or adding letters after your name; it’s about developing a mindset of integrity, precision, and continuous learning. The technical knowledge will come with time, but what will truly set you apart is your ability to stay consistent, communicate clearly, and lead with humility.
You don’t need to know everything to succeed, just be the one who’s consistent, curious, and genuinely human. It’s not mastery of everything that defines success here, it’s mastering the art of being reliable, inquisitive, and real.
M: You’ve been granted approval to add one University graduate to your team, but have 100 applicants, all with outstanding academic results. How do you find your perfect candidate - what are you looking for?
ST: If everyone has outstanding academic results, then I’m not hiring for marks—I’m hiring for mindset.
I’d look for the candidate who shows curiosity beyond the curriculum, someone who asks thoughtful questions, takes ownership, and isn’t afraid to admit what they don’t know. Attitude, humility, and a willingness to grow matter more than polished perfection.
Because in our profession, technical skills can be taught but the hunger to learn, collaborate, and rise through challenges; That’s what makes someone truly stand out.
M: In the words of John Dewey, “education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.”
What’s next on your #learning agenda?
ST: That’s a powerful quote and absolutely true because my learning agenda is permanently marked as “Work in Progress.”
Next on my radar is diving deeper into technology-driven audits and AI tools not just for finance and taxation, but for personal and professional growth across this ever-expanding universe... or maybe even the multiverse! Because let’s face it Excel alone won’t cut it in the world we’re heading toward. I believe staying curious (and a little uncomfortable) is the only way to stay relevant. And if the learning curve feels scary, just remember: even Wi-Fi needs to reconnect sometimes.
So here I am upskilling, evolving, and occasionally Googling like a fresher.
Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to reflect, share, and celebrate the human side of success.
Sagar Tripathi
Owner & Partner of Sagar Tripathi & Co Chartered Accountants Lucknow
Sagar Tripathi is a distinguished Chartered Accountant (CA) since 2013, Fellow of ICAI and associate member of ICSI and ICMAI, with an LLB and Diploma in Information Systems Audit. Certified in forensic accounting, AI and bank audits, he topped his CA and CS cohorts in Lucknow. He chairs CII Yi Lucknow, serves on the Income Tax Bar Association and LCAS councils, and is an image consultant, motivational speaker and soft‑skills trainer.
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